FW: October 2024 update
Robert Williams
Dear all,
Here is the latest fleet news from Reading Buses.
Reading Buses
Our next new ADL Enviro400 City H48/29F buses have been delivered as follows, each arriving in full livery:
Fleet | Reg | Livery | Delivered | Notes |
249 | YY74 LVE | Lion | 24 October | Delivered with incorrect registration YY74 LVF |
250 | YY74 LVF | Lion | 24 October | Delivered with incorrect registration YY74 LVE |
251 | YY74 LVG | Lion | 25 October |
|
252 | YX74 ORG | Jet Black | 24 October |
|
253 | YX74 ORH | Jet Black | 29 October |
|
254 | YX74 ORJ | Jet Black | 5 November |
|
255 | YX74 ORK | Jet Black | 26 October |
|
256 | YX74 ORL | Jet Black | 5 November |
|
257 | YX74 ORN | Jet Black | 5 November |
|
They are to the same high specification as the previous Lion branded buses 241-248, and will enter service during November. Delivery of 258 in jet black livery, 259-264 in generic livery and 745-746 in London Line livery is expected to continue during November.
647 entered service on 11 October.
781/2 transferred in from Thames Valley Buses on 24 October. 781 entered service on 25th, and 782 on 24th. 782’s vinyls were modified on 4 November for temporary use on The London Line pending new vehicle arrivals and repaint. 781 has still to be done.
805 has been repainted into the original beige and charcoal ‘quality travel for Reading’ livery with lettering to celebrate 20 years of route branding, returning to service on 26 October. Former 812 (Stephensons), 813 (Bluestar), 817 (Bluestar), 832 (Salisbury Reds), 1021 (Aldermaston Coachlines) returned from their current owners to provide free journeys around the network that day along with Scania Omnicity HF09 BKA (Salisbury Reds).
805 (and 806) are being retained within the fleet as heritage vehicles for special events, football etc in a similar manner to the open topper. They will not see regular service once the new vehicles enter service.
757 gained a MegaRear for Abbey School at the start of September.
209, 700, 756, 774, 901 gained MegaRears for First RailAir on 20 October.
1203, 1205, 1206, 1207 have been sold to Chartwell Bus & Coach (dealer). 1203/5 had departed by 17 October. 1206/07 remain on site for imminent departure.
382 has been sold to The Bus Shop (dealer), and was collected today (7 November).
312 and 313 have been withdrawn and sold to Chartwell Bus & Coach (dealer). 312 departed on 1 November, 313 remains on site for imminent departure.
Newbury & District
New 9.7m ADL Enviro200MMC B34F buses have been delivered as follows, each arriving in an updated black, white and grey version of the N&D livery:
Fleet | Reg | Delivered | Notes |
601 | ND74 BUS | 28 October | Delivered with incorrect registration YX74 ORU |
602 | YX74 ORV | 29 October |
|
603 | YX74 ORW | 29 October |
|
604 | YX74 ORY | 28 October |
|
605 | YX74 ORZ | 30 October |
|
606 | YX74 OSA | 28 October |
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607 | YX74 OSB | 6 November |
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608 | YX74 OSC | 6 November |
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There are 34 seats - 29 high back seats with seat belts + 5 tip-up seats in the wheelchair and buggy zones, a theoretical standing capacity of 36, USB A and C charging sockets, cafe style wood effect flooring, sky lights, CCTV, next stop audio visual announcement system with hearing aid loop, offside destination display (handy for the bus station), and camera mirrors.
They are expected to enter service during November.
Thames Valley Buses
742 entered service on 24 October, followed by 743/44 on 25 October.
781/2 transferred to Reading on 24 October.
458 was withdrawn from service on 18 October following the end of the Chineham Park shuttle contract. It is currently stored at Thames Valley Bodyworks pending sale.
Regards,
Robert